`Sins Of The Father` Action Is Fast-paced And Quick To Offend

January 12, 1985|By Jon Anderson, TV critic.

IN ``SINS OF the Father,`` at 8 p.m. Sunday on NBC-Ch. 5, a young lawyer on her second day at work takes off on a business trip with the head of her law firm. Kaboom! They`re in bed. A week later, she meets the guy`s son. Kaboom! They`re in bed. In TV terms, that means either trouble or a promotion to head of the tryst department.

This made-for-TV movie has something to offend everyone who believes in prudence, office ethics or a good night`s sleep. On the other hand, the California locations are terrific. The son has a houseboat loaded with books. The father has an Art Deco mansion and a butler to whom he whispers: ``Jerome, please pick up the clothes in the living room and press those belonging to the young lady.``

Geez, what`s a girl to do? As NBC puts it: ``Torn between father and son, Kevan struggles with her values and ambitions before making a decision that affects each member of the unlikely triangle.`` The finale comes just in time. Along with the usual problems of beginning a new career, she has started to hyperventilate at the office.

Doing the best they can is a cast that includes Ted Wass as young Greg Murchison, Glynnis O`Conner as novice lawyer Kevan Headley, Joan Prather

(``Eight Is Enough``) as her mother and craggy James Coburn as ``powerful, dashing attorney`` Frank Murchison.

``Dashing`` is the operative word here. This crowd sees clients, cuts deals, does research, dashes around Los Angeles, entertains, makes love, fixes breakfast, schmoozes and gets back downtown by 9 a.m., pressed and ready for the next day`s workload.

LaSalle Street operatives might raise a few eyebrows at the office hanky- panky and Coburn`s choice of language (``Touche, baby``) when he is outwitted by his ingenue staffer. But they`ll have to be impressed by one aspect of this grappling drama: efficient time-scheduling.